ASU will be looking for offensive playmakers to replace Strong
TEMPE, Ariz. -- ASU head coach Todd Graham proved that he could restructure and prepare a young defensive unit that was hit hard by graduation after last year. In 2015, the Sun Devils face a similar deal on the offensive side of the ball.
While the offensive line and quarterback positions will see turnover because of graduation, receiver Jaelen Strong's decision to enter the 2015 NFL Draft might have been only the first of a few dominoes to fall in terms of ASU losing its biggest producers in the passing game.
Strong accounted 1,062 of the Sun Devils' 3,316 passing yards on the season and 20 percent of their 5,358 total yards of offense, but ASU could be faced with replacing an even larger chunk of production if junior D.J. Foster follows Strong's lead in declaring for the draft.
Not all yardage is created equal in terms of impact or significance, but any way you slice it, Foster's importance to the offense can't be understated. Heading into Saturday's Sun Bowl matchup with Duke, he has accounted for 31 percent of ASU's total offense with 1,648 yards (1,002 rushing, 646 receiving).
Foster's draft prospects are varied. A season of full-time duties at running back after bulking up over the offseason proved he could carry the workload as a true running back, and his ability to move in the slot on top of that only helps. As of now, Foster might not be a top-10 running back in the 2015 draft, but he falls in the following group of 10, making his decision about his future less clear-cut than that of Strong -- who many are projecting as a potential first-round pick.
There's no doubt ASU would have an easier transition period in the passing game with Foster returning for his senior season -- and that could also boost his draft stock.
No matter what Foster decides, the reality is Graham, offensive coordinator Mike Norvell and experienced returning quarterback Mike Bercovici will be searching for opportunists across the roster. There are a number of experienced candidates who could answer the bell, plus a few who could work their way into the conversation.
Cameron Smith (sophomore WR): The speedy Smith was mostly a complementary piece to Strong and Foster, but he showed what he was capable of in the only game ASU played without Strong. In a Nov. 22 win against Washington State, Smith caught six balls for 131 yards and two scores. He finished behind Strong and Foster with 596 total receiving yards.
Gary Chambers (junior WR): Chambers didn't put up huge numbers, but he did help set up the Hail Mary throw from Bercovici to Strong that won the USC game. Bercovici connected with Chambers for a 26-yard pass to put the Sun Devils in position to launch the game-winning pass as time expired.
Ellis Jefferson (redshirt freshman WR): Listed behind Strong at the wideout spot, Jefferson hasn't seen many snaps in the second half of the year, but at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, he's similar in build to Strong. Jefferson caught 10 balls for 137 yards in 2014.
Tyler Whiley (freshman WR): Graham hinted that freshmen Jalen Harvey and redshirt freshman Ronald Lewis are being pushed to the defensive side of the ball. If that remains the case, Whiley, a Chaparral High School product, could have a chance at earning some snaps moving forward.
Kody Kohl (redshirt sophomore TE): Kohl has caught a pass in each of the last five games and ended up taking some chances away from senior De'Marieya Nelson. He has a shot at making Norvell a little more tight-end oriented if he continues to improve.
The running backs: If Foster returns and the Sun Devils don't like their options in the passing game, that could mean more Foster in the slot -- thus more opportunities in the backfield for freshmen Kalen Ballage and Demario Richard. And if Foster doesn't return, there will be a featured role available for one or both.